2022-11-10T09:28:02-08:00 2022-06-30 366055558 Grant Thornton LLP 515 S Flowr Street Los Angeles CA 90071 990 2021-07-01 951641426 BRAILLE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA INC BRAI 3236631111 741 N VERMONT AVENUE LOS ANGELES CA 90029 Rezaur Rahman CFO 2022-11-10 true Rezaur Rahman 999009999 Erin Couture P01390592 2136271717 3 AAL1 IAL1 FAL1 2021 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z Peter A Mindnich 43063376 false X www.brailleinstitute.org X 1961 CA "To eliminate barriers caused by blindness and severe sight loss". See Attached Federal Supplemental Information 14 14 214 220 0 18049445 17762790 0 12528620 17136932 1476656 2777101 32054721 37676823 0 0 13625446 13797638 102000 105500 2993142 6570987 7445603 20298433 21348741 11756288 16328082 282084911 250513312 5499314 7530586 276585597 242982726 "To eliminate barriers caused by blindness and severe sight loss". See Attached Federal Supplemental Information false false 11731330 See Attached Federal Supplemental Information Page 1, Part III - Line 4a 2805486 See Attached Federal Supplemental Information Page 1, Part III - Line 4b 1228287 See Attached Federal Supplemental Information Page 2, Part III - Line 4c 15765103 true true false true false false false false false true true false false false true true false true true false false false false true true false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false true 54 0 true 214 true false false false false false true true false 0 false false false true false false false false false false X 14 14 false false false false true true false true true false true true true true true true true true true true false AK AL CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY MA MD ME MI MN MS NC ND NH NJ NM NY OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WI WV X X Jamie Aung Controller 3236631111 741 NVermont Ave Los Angeles CA 90029 X Peter Mindnich President 38.00 0.00 X 371803 0 52198 Rezaur Rahman CFO 38.00 0.00 X 216850 0 46128 Anthony Taketa Secretary 38.00 0.00 X 213047 0 42556 Gary Jimenez VP Development 38.00 0.00 220199 0 30288 Sandy Shin VP Mark. & Commun. 38.00 0.00 174346 0 54417 Maria Valdivia VP Technology 38.00 0.00 158313 0 34194 Lisa Jimenez VP Program & Serv. 38.00 0.00 157651 0 22362 Sergo Oilva Alfaro VP Program & Serv. 38.00 0.00 148210 0 18531 Cindy Chan Dir.Planned Giving 38.00 0.00 139175 0 17392 Michael C Corley Chairman 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 George E Thomas Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Patricia Bramhall Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 James J Rhodes Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jeanne Olenicoff Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 James H Jackson Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Linda A Lam Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 John F Llewellyn Thru 0422 Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Richard A Nelson Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 William J Link Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Percy Duran III Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 John G Nuanes Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Harvey Strode Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Lester M Sussman Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Diane Wilkinson Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 1799594 318066 17 false true false AB Data LTD 600 AB Data Drive Milwaukee WI 53217 Direct Mail Services 559472 Olympic Maintenance 12030 Clarkson Road Los Angeles CA 90064 Cleaning Services 233865 Adco Roofing In 5743 Cahuenga Street North Hollywood CA 91601 Roof Maintenance Serv 174975 Datasparc Inc 13223-1 Black Mountain Road 152 San Diego CA 92129 Software Maintenance Serv 164987 FM Thomas Air Conditioning 231 Gemini Avenue Brea CA 92821 Air Conditioning Service 156928 11 4445 1355500 16402845 19193 17762790 0 4635050 4635050 0 2705545 2705545 25451 25451 25451 25451 13721024 4146071 4617800 747413 9103224 3398658 12501882 3398658 9103224 57660 4445 21340 36320 36320 0 0 Miscellaneous Income 9785 9785 9785 37676823 3398658 16515375 0 0 0 0 1584092 370225 829485 384382 0 9677436 7896147 604963 1176326 593421 483286 39701 70434 1126890 907895 73526 145469 815799 596265 103048 116486 0 71458 71458 144050 144050 37500 37500 105500 105500 29686 29686 567162 188516 368646 10000 0 148691 111061 33980 3650 463021 336388 71973 54660 0 1571128 1484973 61377 24778 0 0 157631 81730 37187 38714 0 0 1084512 1046933 20860 16719 287462 264465 14373 8624 Equipment & Facility Maintenan 1234074 1088062 80372 65640 Direct Mail 749872 749872 Instructional Program Supplies 413311 413311 Community Relations 256132 251588 4544 229913 206758 5811 17344 21348741 15765103 2590496 2993142 712573 475555 766388 902877 453856 50847 14312 26676 0 0 0 27148 33195 64645 163898 60598797 38228259 22999022 22370538 252651726 220696854 1471788 1296003 0 0 2923453 4496869 282084911 250513312 2702524 3327094 2796790 4203492 5499314 7530586 X 230195586 201263925 46390011 41718801 276585597 242982726 282084911 250513312 X 16328082 -49959817 28864 X false true X true false X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false false false false false false false true 37500 false false 37500 false false Part II-B, Line 1i - Other Activities Description The organization retained a lobbying firm for purposes of restoring and/or increasing funding for its library operations from the California Legislature.The lobbying activities involved meeting and informing members of the legislature about the organization's library services benefiting visually impaired and other disabled patrons.In the end of FY 2021-22,the organization has expended $37,500. Part IV - Additional Information 29685410 25018 -254169 29456259 29249471 59514 376425 29685410 29312902 25025 -88456 29249471 29169692 121470 21740 29312902 23903663 5185743 80286 29169692 1.00000 false false false 53883 6228498 6282381 37715256 25149697 12565559 5251717 2924132 2327585 11349443 10154430 1195013 22370538 Gift Annuity Liabilities 2333207 Present Value of Lease Liability 1870285 4203492 X -12282994 -49959817 -49959817 37676823 37676823 21377605 28864 28864 21348741 21348741 Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. These are net assets resulting from contributions and other inflows of assets whose use by the Institute is limited by donor-imposed stipulations. All permanently restricted net assets are available for endowment. The ending balance on part V, line 1g excludes $1.1 million of interest & earnings and investment appreciation, which is released to Temporarily Restricted funds, to provide specific program support to improve the lives of blind or visually impaired people. Part X : FIN48 Footnote TaxesThe Institute follows guidance that clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, including issues relating to financial statement recognition and measurement. This guidance provides that the tax effects from an uncertain tax position can only be recognized in the financial statements if the position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained if the position were to be challenged by a taxing authority. The assessment of the tax position is based solely on the technical merits of the position, without regard to the likelihood that the tax position may be challenged.The Institute was organized pursuant to the General Nonprofit Corporation Law of the State of California. The Institute is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, though it is subject to tax on income unrelated to its exempt purpose, unless that income is otherwise excluded by the Code. The Institute has also been recognized by the California Franchise Tax Board as an organization that is exempt from California franchise and income taxesunder Section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. The Institute has processes presently in place to ensure the maintenance of its tax-exempt status; to identify and report unrelated income; to determine its filing and tax obligations in jurisdictions for which it has nexus; and to identify and evaluate other matters that may be considered tax positions. The Institute has determined that there are no material uncertain tax positions that require recognition or disclosurein the financial statements. Part XII, Line 2d: Other expenses and losses per audited F/S Change in Split - Interest $28864 true true true true false true true false false false false false false false false true false true Schedule E, Line 3 - Racially Nondiscriminatory Policy Publicized The organization has no set periods of solicitation or registration. Nevertheless, its Non-Discrimination Statement is posted on its website. Schedule E, Line 4 - Explanation of Records and Materials Not Maintained Part 1, 4b - Is not applicable to Braille Institute of America, Inc.All instruction is provided free of charge. Schedule E, Line 5 - Explanation of Organization Discrimination by Race Schedule E, Line 6 - Explanation of Aid or Assistance from Governmental Agency Our financial assistance comprises an appropriation from the State of California which reimburses Braille Institute for a portion of the operating expenses of the Library Services. This appropriation has been awarded annually. X X X X X true AB Data LTD 600 AB Data Drive Milwaukee WI 53217 D. Mail Consult false 975564 105500 870064 975564 105500 870064 AL AK AR CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY ME MD MA MI MN MS NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI Dinner/Lunch 62105 4445 57660 6218 10835 2920 1367 62105 4445 57660 6218 10835 2920 1367 21340 36320 Part I, Line 2b - Fundraiser Additional Information The Institute entered into separate agreements with A.B.Data LTD to cover professional fundraising services and professional fundraising expenses, such as printing, paper, envelopes and postage. Amounts calculated on Schedule G can be supported by the agreements and the expenses paid to A.B.Data LTD. X X X X X false false false false false false false false false Anthony Taketa Secretary 211701 1346 14582 27974 255603 Cindy Chan Dir.Planned Giving 139175 8055 9337 156567 Gary Jimenez VP Development 220199 14909 15379 250487 Lisa Jimenez VP Program & Serv. 157182 469 9688 12674 180013 Maria Valdivia VP Technology 157436 877 10152 24042 192507 Peter Mindnich President 369212 2591 19888 32310 424001 Rezaur Rahman CFO 215504 1346 14935 31193 262978 Sandy Shin VP Mark. & Commun. 173469 877 11815 42602 228763 Sergo Oilva Alfaro VP Program & Serv. 148006 204 8734 9797 166741 Statement Note 1 Braille Institute of America, Inc.Employer I.D.# 95-1641426Attachment to (Form Number 990 Part III - Line 1) for Tax year 2021What is the Organization's primary exempt purpose?Braille Institute of America, Inc., was founded in 1919 in Los Angeles, California, and is one of the largest and most comprehensive blind services organizations in the country. The Institutes mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. In addition to operating a nationally recognized Library for patrons who are blind or print disabled, we offer braille publishing services, child development services, youth independence-building programs, low vision rehabilitation services, adult educational classes, and we are a leader in the promotion of braille literacy throughout North America. Services are available through our Los Angeles headquarters and six regional centers: Anaheim, Coachella Valley, Laguna Hills, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. A nonprofit organization, Braille Institute is operated and funded almost entirely through private donations. While Braille Institute could not hold in-person classes from March 2020 - May 2022 due to the pandemic, we pivoted so programs and services could be delivered remotely, continuously and free of charge. Students, clients, and families received support and stayed connected from the comfort and safety of their homes. Our virtual instruction turned out to be a popular option for clients who are homebound, or who have difficulty arranging transportation to our centers. We now use a hybrid model of service delivery, offering classes and one-on-one consultations in person and online. Students who enjoy onsite classes and services can attend in person, and, by maximizing the potential of virtual instruction, our staff can reach beyond the boundaries of our centers and change more lives for the better. Part III - Line 4a:A.Through Braille Institute's Educational Services, 1,282 adults, ages 18 and older, participated in more than 73,000 hours of group classes and workshops in these core areas: 1)Daily Living Skills, which teaches adaptive techniques for completing everyday tasks that are critical to staying independent and maintaining quality of life; 2) Arts & Healthy Living classes that support emotional and mental well-being. These include exercise, art, fall prevention, diabetic management, book clubs, and discussion groups; 3)Living with Vision Loss support groups and classes to share ideas, concerns, and information with others, and learn coping strategies and stress reduction techniques. Our O&M specialist provided 3,909 one-on-one training session to 626 adults on how to prevent falls and safely navigate their environment using a white cane and sensory awareness, 1,808 adults participated in online public education seminars and workshops,and 196 adults received one-on-one instruction where they needed extra help.B.Braille Institutes Youth program helped 86 young people (ages 7-19) build independent living skills through guided instruction to meet individual performance goals. C.Braille Institutes Child Development program for blind and visually impaired children ages birth to 6 provided remote one-on-one services online and over the phone to 157 children and their families. Child Development Consultants resumed in-home visits in May 2022 and continue to provide virtual consultations as well as in-home sessions.D.Braille Institutes Low Vision Rehabilitation Occupational Therapists from our seven centers provided 2,292 one-on-one consultations to 1,271 adults.E.During COVID-19 closures, programs and services were provided over the phone and via Microsoft Teams, email, and YouTube Instructional videos. All services were provided free of charge.Braille Institutes Connection Pointe staff from our seven centers provided 3,447 one-one-one training sessions in the use of mainstream devices with adaptive features and specialized technologies designed for people with a vision impairment to 873 students. F.Braille Institutes award-winning national Braille Challenge competition, which tests braille competency skills, reached 772 students in grades 1-12. Our national Cane Quest orientation & mobility competition reached 160 students in grades 3-12. G.During COVID-19 closures, programs and services were provided over the phone and via Microsoft Teams, email, and YouTube Instructional videos. All services were provided free of charge.Part III - Line 4b:Braille Institutes award-winning Library is the official Southern California branch of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, a division of the Library of Congress. With a collection of more than 135,156 book titles in digital cartridge, braille, electronic, and large print formats, the Library is Braille Institutes largest department and most-used service. This year we served 19,761 patrons. In addition to checking out 715,226 digital and braille books, Library patrons received one-on-one training in the use of accessible reading technologies. Our staff produced 357,310 personalized audio book cartridges (duplication on-demand) that contained up to fifteen books each. Braille Institutes comprehensive Library Services are available through the main library in our Los Angeles headquarters and through our six centers (Anaheim, Coachella Valley, Laguna Hills, Riverside, San Diego and Santa Barbara) and through more than 1,317 partner institutions, which include senior living residences, public schools and public libraries across the 10 counties of Southern California. Part III - Line 4c:Braille Institute's Special Collection had 7,740 subscribers this year. Program staff printed 2,052 braille children books and "Dots for Tots" storybook kits (for pre-school children ages 2-5), mailed free to subscribers. Form 990, Part VI, Line 6: Explanation of Classes of Members or Shareholder The Institute is a non-stock, nonprofit corporation with members, no shareholders. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process The accountants at Braille prepare and review an initial draft Form 990, which is reviewed by an external accounting firm before it is finalized for review by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will then meet to review and discuss the Form 990. The Audit Committee approves the Form 990 before it is filed with the IRS. The Audit Committee consists of directors and one non-director. The final draft of the 990 is provided to the Braille board members and management prior to its filing with the IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts All of the Institute's directors and officers, i.e. the governing body, are required annually to sign the Braille Institute of America, Inc.'s Conflict of Interest Policy. The policy states that these individuals "should avoid placing themselves in positions in which their personal interests are, or may be, in conflict with the interests of Braille Institute,X and continues on to provide certain guidelines on which to consider actual or potential conflict situations. The policy requires directors and officers to disclose, to the best of their knowledge, any of these interests. "In the event of an actual conflict of interest, the Board shall investigate the material facts and the affected director's, officer's or key employee's interest in the transaction or activity. * * * * After the Board's investigation is concluded, the Board shall vote on whether to authorize or approve or disapprove of the conflict of interest, excluding the vote of the interested director. If a Board vote is not reasonably practicable, a committee of three (3) directors appointed by the Board or Executive Committee may conduct the investigation and report to the Board at the Board's next meeting whereupon the Board will vote on the conflict of interest, excluding the vote of the interested director." The individual signing the policy is taking responsibility to adhere to the Conflict of Interest Policy, which includes notifying the Board if he/she becomes aware of any actual or potential conflict situation. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees The Executive Compensation Committee shall review the performance and compensation of the President, Chief Financial Officer and other executives, as deemed appropriate, and make recommendations to the board as such. Accordingly, the Executive Compensation Committee meets annually to review the performance and compensation of not only the President but other top management officials. The Committee met in June 2022 to determine the compensation for the top management officials of the Institute. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available The Institute makes the annual Audited Financial Statements available to the public by posting the published document on its website, www.brailleinstitute.org. The completed final Form 990 is available for public inspection through the Braille Institute, GuideStar and Foundation Directory websites. Additionally, the Institute's governing documents, the annual Audited Financial Statements and the Conflict of Interest Policy are available by written request and free of charge. If ever an inspection at an office of the Institute ensues, all such documents will be promptly provided upon request within a reasonable time.Form 990, Part VI, Line 1a.- Composition of the Executive Committee The organization does maintain an Executive Committee consisting of the Board Chair and four other board members. All members of the Executive Committee are directors. The Committee has all the powers of the Board except the power to fill Board vacancies and amend the bylaws. Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Increases Change in Split-Interest = $28864 Anita A Mackenzie Trust 201 S Lake Ave Suite 600 Pasadenda CA 91101 946720255 Supporting Organization CA 501(c)(3) 12-III-O N/A false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false